North Cobb Student Daniel Kinslow was awarded the Debbie Underkoffler Culinary Arts Scholarship at the Kennesaw Business Association luncheon on May 14. Since cooking his mom steak fajitas on Mother’s Day 2008… Daniel has loved to cook. Daniel joined the Culinary Arts program last year and won second place at the Perry National Fair in Perry Georgia, plus he was on the team that won 1st place in the for FCCLA Regional Competition and finished second in the state in 2012. This past year Daniel won the Gold Medal for the SKILLS USA Annual State Competition and now he is on the way to compete in the Nationals.

Winning the Gold Medal for the State of Georgia SKILLS USA competition means Daniel is on his way to compete in the National competition in June. Daniel writes: “Winning at a state level is not a simple task. It takes months of preparation, and dedication to food and to the desire to win. At SkillsUSA State Culinary Competition, we were required to make the following: a clear vegetable soup, mixed greens salad with vinaigrette, cous cous, spring vegetable medley, and create a chicken dish. I was so excited here of this menu! Immediately simple came to my head, considering we only had one hour. I created an airline chicken breast alongside the other menu items. Not only was plating important, but taste and sanitation were also judged; we also had a knife cuts session and chicken fabrication session in which we also had to complete on top of the menu. Now I am on my way to nationals where I have to exhibit more skills that I have learned along my culinary pathway. The 2103 SkillsUSA Nationals will take place in Kansas City Missouri this June, where my Chef, Xan Payton, and I will travel and stay for a week and enjoy the wonderful view Kansas City provides!”

To help Daniel and Xan get to Kansas, the KBA awarded Daniel $2000 to cover their expenses. It was presented by Greg Carter, California Dreaming, who has been a mentor for the Culinary classes at NCHS for the last two years. Go Warriors – go win the Nationals, Daniel, congratulations!